Vains of Jenna, RATT, Poison Concert Review

Last night, My Wife and I attended the Vains of Jenna, RATT and Poison Concert. It has been a long time since I have seen Stephen Pearcy play live with RATT, and I was really looking foward to the show.

Once upon a time, in 1986, Poison opened up for RATT at this same site. Poison was a new band, and hungry. They were out opening up for RATT in support of their new disc, Look What the Cat Dragged In. They were good that night, but RATT completely blew them off the stage.

Fast Forward to 2007, and last night’s show.

Vains of Jenna opened the show, and were decked out in their fully glam outfits. I have only listened to a couple of their songs prior to last night, so I was not very familiar with their music. They mentioned the last time they played in Cincinnati, and the incident at Rhino’s in Eastgate. They dedicated their song, “Don’t Give A Damn” to the club manager there. They also did a cover of the Tom Petty song, Refugee. I enjoyed their short 30 minute set. I will be seeking out their CD soon.

At about 8 P.M., RATT took the stage with their new linuep of Robbie Crane on bass, John Corabi on rhythm guitar, Stephen Pearcy on vocals, Bobby Blotzer on drums and guitar god, Warren Dimartini. RATT played most of their hit songs, and a few songs that made me wonder what they were thinking. I was surprised to hear anything off of their self titled record from 1999, but they played more than one song off of this disc. The crowd reaction when these songs were played was similar to mine. What the *#@% was that? Considering that they only have an hour long slot, why they would waste their time playing these lesser known tunes, that quite frankly, are not very good. I will say that the band was good, but no where near as good as the original lineup. I didn’t think Stephen Pearcy sounded as good as he used to, and Bobby Blotzer, actually messed up the drum beat in one of the songs. Dimartini’s playing was the highlight in this time slot.

I have seen Poison play live several times in the past and my expectations were low. I had high hopes for RATT, and they disappointed me somewhat. I have seen Poison play with a bunch of different bands, insert name here, and never thought they were as good as some of the acts they have toured with. Last night, they totally changed my mind.

Poisontook the stage at around 9:30 P.M. and from the very beginning, I knew they were going to be great. They played a few songs off of their new covers disc, Poison’d, as well their hits over the years. Regardless of how I feel about their covers album, the songs they played live sounded great. This was an extemely high energy show, and everyone in the band played extremely well including Bret Michaels. There were a few surprises in the show that drummer Rikki Rockett had up his sleeve that made me think about the Motley Crue, Girls, Girls Girls tour.

This was one of the best Poison shows that I have ever seen, and I have seen quite a few. Poison blew RATT off the stage, and had smiles on the faces of just about everyone who the packed house last night.

If they come to your town, go check them out! You wont be disappointed!

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I drove over from Tampa with a few of my friends and we loved the show. Vains of Jenna could have some future potential, they worked the stage and the crowd the best they could for people not knowing who they were. RATT was ok, they didn’t sound bad but Pearcy looked unconfortable a few times which I think made people question the performance. Bret, CC, Rikki & Bobby ROCKED THAT STAGE though. They all looked to be having a genuine good time…that always makes a show fun. I too have been left wondering after a Poison concert, but NOT THIS ONE!!! They were great.

I couldn’t agree with this review more! I went to the Cleveland concert 6/23 with a couple of friends that remember them when. We weren’t rocked off our seats by VoJ… but they didn’t suck. I went with low expectations of Poison also, but was thrilled when RATT (w/Stephen Percy) enter the stage. They sounded good, but not like I remember, in that same location, in 1986. The crowd was energetic and rallied when they played their Chart Hit Round n’ Round… but then POISON came on and the place exploded!!! They were absolutely awesome! I felt freakin’ 17 again!!! The show tricks were great, the solos were rocked and Bret was a terrific showman. Hats of to the Poison crew. I would see you again, next time around. I’m waiting for that CD Bret mentioned they’re due to launch. ROCK ON!!!

Hi Chic,
I do know what I am talking about. I have seen RATT several times in the past, and this was far from their best outing. They were better than the shows that I have seen with Jizzy Pearl, but recollecting the band live at the peak of their popularity, this live show did not compare.

They were good, but not one of the best performances. Not by a longshot. Not to mention that the crowd response was mediocre if anything when they played the more obscure stuff.

I am sure they like to change it up, to keep it fresh. Lets face it, they have been playing the same songs live for a very long time. I understand why they played them, but it probably would have worked better in a longer set.

I used to be a RATT diehard like yourself, and totally understand that you loved it, and I respect that.

If they were the headlining act, it would make more sense for them to play whatever they wanted, but in a short set, the majority of the people want to hear the biggest hits.

Ok, while I respect your opinion, I can’t help thinking that you do not know what you are talking about. I think it is great that Ratt played some of their more obscure songs, and I also enjoyed the stuff from their newer album. When you have not put out much new music over the past 20 years, but have continued to tour, I really think that you need to mix things up so that you are not seeing the same show every time. I, along with mamy other die-hard Ratt fans, loved it!

Their was good applause from the crowd on hand after each song, but the reaction while they were playing was lackluster. Probably because the average fan there never heard the music of Vains of Jenna before. I was hoping that they would have some of their CD’s onsale at show and they didn’t. ( I would have bought one.)

I think this is a great opportunity for Vains of Jenna to establish themselves. Poison drew an incredible crowd last night. I don’t know if it was a sell out or not, but it had to be damn close. I would estimate last night’s crowd to be over 10K.

Sounds like a good show. What was the crowd reaction to Vains of Jenna? Their album is decent, but I will be interested to hear what they do next. It seems like they have been touring non-stop so the experience may help them.